Groovers & Makers 2026 – Program – Rhythmically Speaking

REMINDERS:

Prior to the show, please silence your devices, and be advised that taking photos and/ or videos of the show is not permitted.
There will be 3-5 minute breaks between each piece – when the house lights come up between the second and third piece, the break will be a little longer: feel free to exit the theater quickly to grab a drink or use the facilities.
There’s a talk-back after the Friday night show – stick around to hear more about the work!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

We acknowledge that our work occurs on Dakhóta Oyáte lands, and honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations. We also acknowledge that as a company built around jazz and American social dances, forms with African diasporic roots and branches, anti-racism and intersectional justice efforts must also be central in our work. We view bettering these efforts as an ongoing journey, and welcome you to read more about this at our IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) page.

PRODUCER NOTE:

Hey folks! RS Artistic and Executive Director Erinn Liebhard here.

Welcome to Rhythmically Speaking presents Groovers & Makers 26’: 4 Takes on Jazz Dance, our 18th annual Summer show delivering fresh, vibrant takes on staged works inspired by jazz and American social dance ideas from exciting movers and shakers in the field.

As usual, I’m STOKED about the breadth and depth of the form and content of this year’s show, as a producer, creator and dancer alike. We’ve been wanting local legend Karla Grotting to make a new work for the company for YEARS: her piece is a beautiful offering of her deep knowledge of and love for jazz and the people it brings together. Alexis Robbins brings both delicate and powerhouse tap to the table, holding us with the care we really needed in our first outing dancing a tap work by a visiting artist. I’ve had the joy of once again creating a new multimedia work that has really stretched my artistic chops – this time including props/ set (a first for me!), and visiting artist Maiya Redding has stretched us to enliven many aesthetics within the jazz continuum within one 13 minute work, demanding sweat and JOY along the way!

We are SO fortunate that artists of the highest caliber – choreographers, dancers, designers alike – come together year after year, including this year of course, to make brilliant new jazz art to infuse you with inspiration, curiosity, contemplation and gratitude. We are all capable (and deserving) of experiencing rhythm together, becoming whole-heartedly connected in all our vibrancy, complexity, and above all, JOY. So sit back and plug in: let’s be in rhythm together and experience and appreciate this essential expression of our shared humanity.

Thank you for being here: I hope the works you experience speak to you, rhythmically 🙂 – Erinn

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SPECIAL THANKS:

To the Southern Theater, the RS Advisory Board for their enthusiastic and ongoing support, and to the artists on this show – without your dedication to this work, it wouldn’t exist!

PROGRAM:

Bring Me Home (premiere)

Choreographer: Karla Grotting (Local Artist), with improvised elements contributed by the dancers
Dancers: Malia Craft, Doug Hooker, Amy Jones, Sara Karimi, Erinn Liebhard, Kathleen Pender, and Betsy Schaefer Roob
Music: “Den Bagom: Og Omvendtrejede Saxofon” by the Saxopaths, “On Late Nights” and “Bring Me Home” by Snørre Kirk
Artist Note: In this new work, I explored some very human themes through these complex, truly original, and yet classic jazz scores from Scandinavian jazz artists. Although this piece titled Bring Me Home is abstract, within the making of it, I used some very specific internal prompts with the dancers to help us find an emotional center for the work, to pull apart the threads and ideas and translate them into kinetic impulses, to find ways to say things we wish we could, and to seek understanding, contemplate connections, and navigate to a place of ease. I’m curious to know what resonates for you.
Special Thanks: Much gratitude to my long-time muse, colleague, friend, and cohort, the always inspiring, Erinn Liebhard, and her marvelous company of dancers (including original cast member Jake Nehrbass) for their readiness to embrace the ideas, the material, and for bringing themselves to the call of these irresistible musical scores by the incredible and generous composers and musicians of the Saxopaths, and Snørre Kirk.

A Looser Grip (premiere)

Choreographer: Alexis Robbins (Visiting Artist – New Haven, CT)
Dancers: Jayde Grass, Erinn Liebhard, Sara Karimi, Shannon Mulcahy, Kathleen Pender, and Betsy Schaefer Roob
Music: “A Year and a Day” by Matt Dwonszyk and “Untitled Boogaloo” by Lee Morgan
Artist Note: This work is an exploration of how grief and joy can and must exist in parallel. Loss and therefore grief are ingrained in the cycles of our human experience, and joy is necessary to healing and finding meaning in continuing forwards. We can hold them both simultaneously if we loosen our grip.
Special Thanks: Thank you to Erinn for inviting me into the magic of Rhythmically Speaking, it was an absolute honor to work with this wondrous and expressive group of dancers. It is such a joy to work with folks who are deeply connected to each other, as it enhances the work itself and creates a constant atmosphere of support. So much love for this cast, thank you all for taking on these rhythms, music, and movements with grace. Thank you also to Matt Dwonszyk for his permission to use his gorgeous composition “A Year and a Day”.

[If I Had the Chance] To Do It Again (premiere)

Choreographer: Erinn Liebhard (RS Artistic and Executive Director), with improvised and choreographed contributions from the dancers
Dancers: Malia Craft, Doug Hooker, Sara Karimi, Kelli Miles and Kathleen Pender
Music: Excerpts of “Illegal Hit,” “Sodon the Mountain Man,” “Deadbeat Blues,” “Yttling Jazz #2 (Flox St.),” and “Pilot 23” by Yttling Jazz
Voiceovers: Niara Sena
Sound Editing: Erinn Liebhard
Projections: Erinn Liebhard, including images contributed by the dancers. Full image credits included in research document linked below.
Props: Steven Read
Artist Note: [If I Had the Chance] To Do It Again is a reflection on time travel, investigating why we are so interested in it, how we would use the capability if (and perhaps when) Physical Time Travel might become possible, and the human phenomenon of Mental Time Travel, a psychological capability often credited as a major contributor to our evolutionary leap. This piece considers our human fallibility and times apparent lack thereof, how – if time were more fallible – many of us would try to bend it to our will, and the value in navigating the ever-shifting balance of where our minds travel – past and future – while striving to experience the present. If you are curious, you can check out my research and planning document here.
Special Thanks: To the dancers, my kiddos, the grandparents, my dude and the whole artistic team for this show, for the trust, support, curiosity, and above all, JOY.

To My Parents, With Love (premiere)

Choreographer: Maiya Redding (Visiting Artist – New York City, NY)
Dancers: Malia Craft, Jayde Grass, Doug Hooker, Amy Jones, Erinn Liebhard, Kelli Miles and Shannon Mulcahy
Music: “Summertime” by Ella Fitzgerald, “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong, “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole, “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald and Mel Torme performing scat at the 1976 Grammy Awards, “I Put a Spell on You” by Nina Simone, “Keep Our Name Out Your Mouth” by Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, “Perculator” by Cajmere, “Gypsy Woman” by Crystal Waters, and “Still in Love” by Shuya Okino feat. Navasha Daya (excerpts)
Artist Note: To My Parents, with Love is a love letter to my parents, thanking them for their unwavering love and the childhood I will always cherish. The work reflects my upbringing in Chicago and the lasting influence of my parents’ love for music. My father introduced me to classic jazz artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole, while my mother shared her love of Chicago house music. By blending the timeless nature of classic jazz with the energy of Chicago house, the piece celebrates my parents and the musical legacy they passed on to me.
Special Thanks: I want to give my deepest thanks to my incredible cast. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in this piece and for pouring so much of yourselves into bringing it to life. It has been such an incredible honor to work with each and every one of you. This project is deeply personal to me, and watching you tell this story with such care, honesty, and heart has meant more than I can put into words. Sending so much love to all of you!

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PEOPLE:

Costumes: Choreographers, Erinn Liebhard, Joy Liebhard and Dancers

Advisory Board: Tameka Davidson, Brian J. Evans, Rae Fox-Charles, Doug Hooker, Erinn Liebhard, Kristoffer Olson and Shannon Nemer (and Advisory Member Zoe Sealy, with Legal Advisor Reilly Liebhard)

Grant Writer: Malia Cole

Malia Craft (Dancer)

Malia Craft is from Hartwell, Georgia and began her training at Hot Shots Dance Company, where she trained in ballet, modern, contemporary, hip hop, and jazz and found her love for performing, as well as teaching. Malia attended the University of Georgia, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, with a minor in exercise and sports science, and a certificate in K-12 dance education. Malia was also a part of the Georgette’s Dance Team for three years. She is currently an artist with Threads Dance Project and Concerto Dance. Aside from training and performing, Malia has a love of working with dancers and has taught, as well as choreographed, for several studios and dance teams throughout Georgia and Minnesota. She has been a Rhythmically Speaking company member since 2025. | @MaliaDances_

Bill Cameron (Photographer)

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Bill Cameron is a Minneapolis photographer who loves photographing people. He specializes in working with local dance companies and their wonderful dancers. | @Bill.Cameron

Doug Hooker (Administrative & Artistic Associate | Dancer)

Doug graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Dance. He has had a variety of professional performing opportunities, including with the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps, the Broadway show Blast! and the Dancing People Company, and locally with ARENA DANCES, Collide Theatrical Dance Company, Concerto Dance, Shapiro and Smith Dance and Threads Dance Project. He has been in Rhythmically Speaking productions since 2017, and has been a company member since 2019. Website | @MisterHookerSir

Jayde Grass (Dancer)

Jayde Grass is a Minnesota-based multidisciplinary dance artist. She attended Winona State University where she first danced with RS AED Erinn. She graduated with a BS in Elementary Education and a Dance Minor, and has been training and performing ever since. Most recently, she danced in the Amez Dance, Analog Dance Works, and Ruby Josephine Dance Theatre collaboration show Converge. Jayde has been a Rhythmically Speaking company member since 2025. | @Jayde_Grass

Mike Grogan (Lighting Designer | Technical Director)

Mike has been designing lighting for dance, theater and music for more than twenty years. He started working on the technical side of theater while studying acting in the early 1990’s, and when he began designing lighting for dance productions, he realized he had found his career. In the years since he has had the privilege of designing for numerous groups spanning the disciplines of dance, theater and music. He has been privileged to work with many great artists during the course of his career, and notes “if my work looks good it is only because their work is good.” We’re lucky to have him on board again!

Karla Grotting (Local Artist)

Karla Grotting is a dancer, choreographer, and educator working with a unique blend of dance styles. She has proudly performed with Flying Foot Forum, Combustible Company, Off-Leash Area, Jazzdance: by Danny Buraczeski, Keane Sense of Rhythm, and the MN Jazz Dance Co. She is on faculty at St Olaf College. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes the history of jazz dance, tap dance, social dance forms, and improvisation; exploring the connections of these histories and their relationship to concert and theater jazz dance. Karla has most recently choreographed for musical theater works at the University of MN Theater Department (CABARET) and Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis (How the Grinch Stole Christmas). Karla has been a McKnight Dancer Fellow and City Pages’ Artist of the Year. | @KarlaGrotting

Amy Jones (Dancer)

Amy performs, teaches and generates concert, commercial, interdisciplinary and experimental work. She graduated from Luther College with a double-major in Theatre/Dance and Management and studied on scholarship with Jennifer Muller/The Works, Susan Marshall & Company, Eva Dean Dance and Broadway Dance Center. In NYC, she performed for Noemie LaFrance; a mindfulness, arts and activism group; and freelance. Locally, she has worked for The Mystic Dancers, Emily Johnson, St. Paul City Ballet, Stuart Pimsler, Morgan Thorsen, Alternative Motion Project, Laurie Van Wieren, Zhauna Franks and Enticing Entertainment. She loves sharing her joy of movement and community as a pilates instructor and bungee dance and Cirque-It Fitness teacher-trainer. She has been in Rhythmically Speaking productions since 2016, and has been a company member since 2020. | @dancerunspirit

Sara Karimi (Dancer)

Sara is a native of Wisconsin and a graduate of University of Iowa (BFA in Dance Performance, BA in English). She performed and toured with 10,000 Feet Dance Company, The Architects and Kayle + Co. before relocating to Minneapolis. She is a company member with Rhythmically Speaking, Threads Dance Project, Ruby Josephine Dance Theater (RJDT) and 43X94 Movement Research. Additional performance credits include Concerto Dance, Borealis Dance Theatre, Dance & Other Behaviors, Rogue & Rabble Dance, and MN Opera. Sara is a Mat Pilates instructor and a 500 E-RYT Yoga Instructor, leading classes and workshops locally and nationally. She has been in Rhythmically Speaking productions since 2016, and has been a company member since 2019. | @Karimi__Sara__

Erinn Liebhard (Artistic and Executive Director | Producer | Choreographer | Dancer)

Erinn is a dance artist (MFA University of Colorado Boulder, BFA University of Minnesota) making opportunities for people to experience the reflective and connective power of groove through performance and education. In performance (besides RS!), she freelances and performs as self-created character entertainer “Nerdette” for Saint Paul Saints Baseball. In education, she is an active residency artist, is on faculty at Carleton College, St. Olaf College and Winona State University, is a COMPAS Teaching Artist and conducts educational outreach through RS. She is also an active writer and conference presenter. Photo by Galen Higgins. Website | @ErinnLiebhard.DanceArtist

Ben McGinley (Videographer)

Ben McGinley is a video producer, communications expert, and arts documentarian based in Minneapolis, MN. He has over 14 years experience producing video content for broadcast, online, and internal organization platforms. Since graduating with honors and a Bachelor’s in Theater Studies and Writing from Emerson College in Boston in 2004, he has built a career around his passion for arts and culture, community and social services. Additionally, he has experience in broadcast television in production and post-production, including as a writer and editor for Long Haul Productions’ hour-long, Emmy-nominated Amsoil Championship Snocross docuseries on NBC & CBS Sports. Ben has been documenting Rhythmically Speaking productions since 2014.

Kelli Miles (Dancer)

A Midwest native, Kelli is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Leadership. Kelli has trained and danced across the globe, from New York City and San Francisco to Barcelona and Israel. Locally, she has had the pleasure of dancing with several companies in addition to Rhythmically Speaking, including HoneyWorks, Hatch Dance, ARENA DANCES, Black Label Movement, and Threads Dance Project. She has held teaching positions at Zenon Dance School and Westmet Classical Training, further fueling her passion for this art form and love of connecting with people through movement. Beyond the studio, Kelli is a part of the Consulting team at Artspace – a national organization creating, fostering, and preserving affordable and sustainable space for artists and cultural organizations. She has been a Rhythmically Speaking company member since 2019. Website | @KelliBelliii

Shannon Mulcahy (Dancer)

Shannon grew up training at American Dance Center in the Chicago Southland as well as Visceral Dance Center and the Lou Conte Dance Studio downtown Chicago. She received a BFA in Dance at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 2017. She performed on the Northrop Carlson Family Stage with two world renowned companies during her undergrad – The Martha Graham Dance Company (Panorama, 2014) and Brian Brooks Moving Company (Torrent, 2017). Shannon has worked professionally with local companies such as Contempo Physical Dance, Shapiro and Smith, and Erin Coyne Choreography. She has danced as a company member with Concerto Dance (’21-’25), Threads Dance Project (’24-’25) and now Rhythmically Speaking (2026). Shannon has been a dance educator of all ages since 2019 at Ballare Teatro and recently received her M.Ed. in Dance Education from the UMNTC in May 2026 with high honors and will start teaching dance in the public school sector in Fall 2026. She has been a Rhythmically Speaking company member since 2026. | @ShanMulchhh

Julie Marie Muskat (Stage Manager)

Julie Marie Muskat is a freelance dancer, choreographer, teacher, and stage manager currently based in the Twin Cities and originally from Texas. She has worked across the US, Israel, and Italy, dancing with companies such as Threads Dance Project, Vox Medusa, Revolution Dance Theatre, Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, and Compagnia AiEP. She is the founder of Deeper Water Arts & Mind/Body Center, which provides dance, cross training, and health and wellness opportunities for young people and adults. Julie has been Rhythmically Speaking’s Summer Stage Manager since 2025, and also dances in some of our productions!

Kathleen Pender (Dancer)

Kathleen Pender is a performer, dance educator, arts administrator, and massage therapist with a B.A. in Dance from St. Olaf College and an A.A.S. in Therapeutic Massage from Northwestern Health Sciences University. She has performed in works by choreographers Erinn Liebhard, Suzanne Costello, Gretchen Pick, Julie Warder, Taja Will, Kathleen Doherty, Laura Ann Smyth, and Pat Taylor/JazzAntiqua, among others. She teaches with Young Dance, where she also works as Program Manager, and practices massage with TC Fit at Motion St. Paul, a physical therapy clinic. Kathleen is passionate about community and relationships cultivated through movement exploration, education, and performance. She has performed in Rhythmically Speaking productions since 2013, and has been a company member since 2019. Photo by Bill Cameron. | @KatDewPen

Maiya Redding (Visiting Artist – New York City, NY)

Maiya Redding is from Chicago and now resides in NYC. She graduated from SUNY Purchase in 2016 with a BFA in Dance. In 2022, she earned her MFA in Dance from Hunter College. Since graduating, has been an adjunct professor at Hunter College, Montclair State University, and Hofstra University, currently serving as a Special Assistant Professor, teaching modern, jazz, and ballet. In the summer of 2023, she was selected by the University of North Carolina School of the Arts as one of the choreographers for their Choreographic Institute Residency Program, where she choreographed her work “Rely on Time to…” Recently, Maiya was nominated for the Black Excellence Award of Chicago for her piece “Chicago Luvin,” choreographed on the Joel Hall Dancers. | @MaiyaRedding

Alexis Robbins (Visiting Artist – New Haven, CT)

Alexis Robbins (she/her) is a choreographer, performer, producer, educator, writer, and dance advocate based in New Haven, CT. Robbins received her B.A. in Dance and B.S. in Exercise Science from Hofstra University, and is an alumna of the Tap Program at Jacob’s Pillow. As the Artistic Director and Choreographer of her project based dance and music company, kamrDANCE, Robbins has shown her work throughout NYC, New Jersey, and New England, and created five dance films. kamrDANCE has produced many sold-out, evening length performances and split-bills, and is currently creating The Mercy Velvet Project, a full-length, multidisciplinary 90’s rock opera with dance and live instrumentation. Robbins is a 2025 New England Dance Fund awardee from the New England Foundation for the Arts, and an Artist Fellowship awardee from the Connecticut Office of the Arts. Robbins has been a guest choreographer and teacher for various universities and organizations including Montana Dance Arts Association, Springfield College, Connecticut College, and Hofstra University. | @Alexis-Robbins-kamrdance

Betsy Schaefer Roob (Dancer)

Betsy was born and raised in Elm Grove, WI. Now based in Minneapolis for over a decade, she has worked with ARENA DANCES, Rhythmically Speaking, Threads Dance Project, Dance & Other Behaviors, as well as nationally and internationally based choreographers Sasha Kleinplatz, A.T. Moffett, Salia Sanou, and Pat Taylor among others. Her own work with faux pas, a duo with Julie Marie Muskat, has been presented as part of CANDY BOX Dance Festival at the Southern Theater. Prior to landing in Minnesota, Betsy lived and studied in Michigan, Oregon, and El Salvador. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a self-designed Bachelor of Individualized Studies in English, Dance, and Sustainability Studies. Alongside her dance career, she is a certified practitioner of The Roll Model® Method and manages the Children’s Literacy Program for Hennepin Healthcare System. She also enjoys many moments dancing around her living room with her toddler daughter.